Apparatus for manufacturing gas



W. D. WILCOX.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

'1 SHEETSSHEET I.

ill QJIW S vv. D. WILCOX.

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING GAS.

m W 0 n m 2 H m w T 2 I w m 4 m m v AFTPLICATIQN FILED APR- 1 1918- 133325369.

W. D. WILCOX.

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING GAS.

APPLICATION FILED APR-1.1918.

1,332,369. Patented Mar. 2,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

w. D. WILCOX.

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING GAS.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 1, 1918.

1,332,369. Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

6 0 56, Imferfifir M 00 La 5 g Z 1 l-rutil WILLIAM D. V7ILCOX, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING GAS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1926).

Application filed April 1, 1918. Serial No. 225,964.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM D. Wrnoox, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Manufacturing Gas, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyin drawings.

My invention relates to the manufacture of gas for domestic and other uses, and has for its object to provide a new and improved apparatus for the manufacture of combined coal and water gas suitable for use with bituminous coals which contain onlya small proportion of moisture and combined'oxygen. I accomplish this object as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and as hereinafter described. What I regard as new is set forth in the claims. I

In the drawings Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view substantially on the line l--1 of Fig. 3, some parts being in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section substantially on llne 33 of Fig. 1, some parts being in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a partial vertical cross-section on line 4.t of Fig. 1, some parts being broken away, and Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section on line 55 of Fig. 1, some parts being broken away.

Referring to the drawings, and particularlyto Fig. 1, it will be noted that my improved apparatus comprises four rectangular generators A, B, C, and D arranged in the form of a block or square. The generators AC are spaced a distance apart to accommodate a combustion chamber E, the intermediate portion of which is filled with checker brick. In like manner, the generators BD are separated by a similar combustion chamber F. Between the generators AC and the combustion chamber E at one side of the apparatus, and the generators BD and the combustion chamber F at the other side of the apparatus, is an intermediate longitudinallyextending chamber G which communicates at one end with the fines of a boiler I-I through a passage 6 which. is preferably downwardly inclined, as shown. in Fig. 3. At the opposite end of the apparatus from the boiler H is a condenser I which connects through a pipe 7, best shown in Fig. 3, with a fixing chamber or main J located in the upper nortion of the chamber G, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. This fixing chamber is preferably composed of two connected members 89 arranged to form a tortuous passage through which the conserved gases pass from the several generators to the condenser I, as will be here inafter explained more in detail. 10l1 in dicate the side walls of-the chamber G. 12 indicates a wall between the generator A and the combustion chamber E; 13 indicates"; a similar wall between'the generatorB and. the combustion chamber F; It indicates a similar wall between the generator C and the combustion chamber E, and 15 indicates a similar wall between the generator D and the combustion chamber F. 16-17 indicate the outer side walls of the apparatus, and 1819 indicate the end walls thereof. 20 indicates a passage in th upper portion of the wall 12 near the outer wall 16 for admit" ting gases from the generator A. to the outer end of the combustion chamber E 21 indicates a similar passage in the wall 13 between the generator B and the combustion chamber F; 22 indicates a corresponding passage in the wall 14: between the generator C and the combustion chamber E, and 23 indicates a similar passage in the wall 15 between the generator D and the combustion. chamber F. These several passages are provided respectively with gate valves 24, 25, 26 and 27 as shown in Fig. 1, all of which are arranged to be operated from the top ofthe apparatus by means of operating rods denoted by corresponding numbers with the exponent a. 28 indicates a passage, in the lower portion of the wall 12 adjacent to the wall 10 connecting the generator A with the inner lower portion of the combustion chamber E, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, said passage having a gate valve 29 operated from the top of the apparatus b a rod denoted by the corresponding numlier with the exponent a. 30 indicates a similar passage between the generator C and the combustion chamber F, said passage having a valve 31. In like manner the generators B and D are connected with the combustion chamber F by passages 3233, respectively, having valves 3 l35, respectively. The passages 30 and 33 are shown in. full lines in Fig. 5.

36 indicates a passage connecting the lower inner portion of the combustion chamber E with the intermediate chamber Gr, said passage being controlled by a gate valve 37 as shown in Fig. 5, a rod 37 being provided to operate it. Similarly the combustion chamber F is connected with the intermediate chamber G by a passage 38 having a valve 39 operated by a rod 39 as shown in said figure and as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. 40 indicates a passage connecting the lower portionsof the generators A'-B, said passage extending under the intermediate chamber G, as shown in Fig. 4, and indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. Said passage is provided with a valve 41 operated from above by a rod 41 42 indicates a similarpassage connecting the generators CD, the latter passage having a valve 43 operated by a rod 43, as shown in Fig. 2.

44 indicates a steam supply pipe having branches 45, 46, 47 and 48 which respectively discharge into the ash-pits of the several generators, each of which is provided with the usual grate 49, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These branch pipes 45, 46, 47 and 48 are. provided with valves 51, 52, 53 and 54, respectively, so that the steam supply may be controlled. 55 indicates a heated air main which extends from one side of the condenser I around one side of the apparatus, and is provided with branch pipes 56-57 communicating respectively with the ashits of the generators AC and with a branc 58 which communicates with the upper portion of the combustion chamber E, as shown in Fig. 1. These branches are provided respectively with valves 59--60-61. A similar main 62 is provided at the opposite side of the condenser I and extends around the opposite side of the apparatus, being provided with branches 6364-65 for supplying air to the generators B-D and the combustion chamber F. 66-67-68 indicate valves in said branch pipes. 69 indicates an air supply pipe which communicates with the condenser I, and is provided with a blower, not shown, for directing a current of air through the condenser to the mains 5562, the arrangement being such that the air passing through the condenser will be heated toa certain extent, and will at the same time cool the gases passing through the condenser. The several valves controlling the air supply pipes are arranged to be operated from the top of the apparatus, as illustrated in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, so that an attendant on top of the apparatus may have ready access to all the several valves.

. 70 indicates a gas outlet pipe leadin from the u per portion of the generator to a main %1 which delivers the gas to the upper section 8 of the fixing chamber J, as best shown in Fig. 4. 72 indicates a similar pipe which connects the generator B with the main 71, the pipes 7 0'-72 having valves 73- 74, respectively. The generators 0-D are neaaeee similarly connected with a main 7 5 at the opposite end of the apparatus, the latter main being also connected with the section 8 of the fixing chamber J 76 indicates hoppers disposed over openip gs 77 in the roofs of the several generators or supplying fresh fuel thereto. These hoppers may be of any suitable construction for delivering proper charges to the generators at suitable inter vals, but they are preferably provided with rotary valves 78, as shown in Fig 2. It will be understood that the several generators are provided with the usual ash removal and clinkering doors, which need not be specifically described. Also the sections 89 of 80 the fixing chamber J may be provided with removable ends, as shown at 79-80 in Fig. 3, for cleaning out purposes. 81 indicates an exhaust fan connected with the condenser I, as shown in Fig. 3, for maintaining the flow of the conserved ases from the several generators through t e fixing chamber and out through the condenser. The rate of flow of .the gases may, of course, be controlled by means of this fan.

The operation is as follows: Prior to beginning the operation of gas making, blasting will be carried on with the several generators only partially filled with fuel until the walls, flues, etc., have become well heated,after which the two generators at one end of the apparatus, as CD, will be filled with fresh fuel above the incandescent coke therein. During this preliminary blasting period, the valves in the upper passages 20, 21, 22 and 23 connecting the several gener ators with their respective combustion chambers will be open, and also the valves in the passages 3638 connecting the lower portions of said combustion chambers with the intermediate chamber G. At the same time'the appropriate valves will be open to supply air below the ash-pits of the several generators and to theupper portions of the combustion chambers E-F. Thus the blast gases will pass from the several generators to the combustion chambers E-F where complete combustion will be promoted by the secondary air admitted through the pipes 5865, and the waste gases will then pass through the intermediate chamber G to and through the flues of the boiler H, generating steam for use in the gas making process. When the preliminary blasting has been carried on to the point that the appa- 12 ratus has attained the requisite temperature, and fresh fuel has been supplied, as above indicated, to the generators C-D, the blasting is continued in the generators A-B, but the passages 22 and 23 leading from the upper portions of the generators C-D to the combustion chambers EF, respectively, are closed, and the gas outlet passages from said generators are opened. At this time also the valves 31, 35, 41 and 43 eaaaee are all closed. As long as the generators A and B are continued on blast, which depends upon the temperature of the fuel therein, the valves 2% and are left open as well as valves 37 and 39. Assuming that the proper temperature has been attained in thegenerator B, air is shut off from said generator and also from the combustion chamber F, and steam is admitted to said generator through the pipe 46 to purge said generator and the combustion chamber F of waste-gases. At the completion of the purging operation, the valve 39 is closed to cut off the combustion chamber F from the waste gas or intermediate chamber G and the valves and 43 are opened. The steam admitted to the generator B then rises through the mass of incandescent fuel and is converted into water gas which passes upward through the passage 21 into the combustion chamber F Where it is superheated by the heat from the checker brick. The gases formed then pass down through the passage 33 into the chamber below the grate of the generator D, a part of the gas also passing across under the intermediate chamber Gr through the passage e2 to the generator C. These gases rise through the incandescent fuel in the generators C and D and also through the superposed coal in said generators to which they impart heat, boiling out the volatiles contained therein, the resulting mixed gases passing out through the gas outlets at the top of said generators. W hen the temperature in the fuel body in the generator B is lowered below the point of effective operation for the manufacture of water gas, the operation of manufacturing Water gas can be continued with the generator A, in this case the flow of gases being reversed so that they pass first to the generator C and then to the generator D substantially in the manner already described. During this interval, blasting is resumed in the generator B. When the level of the fuel in generators A and B has been lowered by the several periods of blasting and gas generation be low the height desirable for efficiency, generators A and B are supplied with fresh fuel. The fuel in the generators G and D has in the meantime been fully carbonized. Generators C and D may now be operated on blast and then on run, as has been described in connection with generators A and B, andthe hot water gas produced used to carbonize the fresh fuel in the upper levels of generators A and, B. In other words, the generators at one end of the apparatus, as A and B, are operated in conjunction with generators C and D to supply hot water gas to generators C and D and promote the manufacture of coal gas in the latter generators, and afterward the situation is reversed and the generators C and D are used to supply hot water gas to the generators A and B- and promote the distillation of coal gas in the latter generators, all the conservable gases being discharged together into the fixing chamber J. This fixing chamber is highly heated as there is practically constant flow of hot waste gases through the intermediate or waste gas chamber G, and consequently the lighter condensable vapors carried by the gas will be cracked and turned into fixed gases before the mixed gases pass, into the condenser. As the air supply to support the operation of'blasting passes 'through the condenser, not only does it serve to cool the gases, but also the heat of the gases is taken up by the air and restored to the process.

The advantages of the apparatus described lie principally in the fact that there is great economy of heat and an important saving of labor as no manipulation of the fuel is required from the time it is charged in quantity into the generators until the mineral residue is removed as ash. Be yond the limited loss by radiation and in the ashes removed, the sensible heat escaping is largely utilized to produce steam and preheat air, both of which reenter the apparatus and are thus conserved. The continuity of the operation when four generators are grouped as described is of substantial advantage as an element of efficiency, since there is a continuous passage of hot gas through the fuel to be coked, a continuous passage of hot gas through the air cooled condenser, a continuous drawing of air through the condenser, serving the double purpose of cooling the gas more rapidly and heating the air, and a continuous supply of hot waste gas to the steam boiler. There is also a continuous supply of conserved gas of very nearly uniform composition and constant volume so that the operation of the accessory purifying apparatus can be carried on with good eliiciency.

What T claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An apparatus for manufacturing gas comprising in combination two gas generator chambers, a secondary combustion chamber intermediate between the two generator chambers, means for supplying fuel to and withdrawing ash from each generator chamber, valve controlled means for introducing air to the lower portion of either generator chamber, means for admitting air to the combustion chamber, means for withdrawing the waste gas from the lower portion of the combustion chamber, valve controlled means for passing steam into the lower part of either generator chamber, valve controlled means for passing the gases generated in either generator chamber into the upper part of the combustion chamber, thence into the lower part of the other generator chamber and up through the contents thereof, and means for withdrawing the gases throu h an outlet in the upper portion of the atter generator chamber.

2. An apparatus for manufacturing gas, comprising in combination, two gas generator chambers, means for introducing fuel into the upper part of each generator chamber, a closable gas outlet in the upper part of each generator chamber, means for removing ashes from the lower part of each generator chamber, valve controlled means for introducing air and steam into the lower part of each generator chamber, a combustion chamber intermediate between the two generator chambers, closable openings from the upper and lower part of each generator chamber into the combustion chamber, a closable opening for the admission of air into the upper part of the combustion chamber, and a closable outlet in the lower part of the combustion chamber for the withdrawal of waste gas.

3. A gas making apparatus comprising four gas generator chambers, a combustion chamber between and connecting each two of the four generator chambers, an intermediate waste gas chamber, closable openings for the supply of air to the lower part of each generator chamber, means for" admitting steam to the lower part of each generator chamber, closable openings connecting the upper and-lower part of each generator chamber with the adjacent combustion chamber, a closable opening for the supply of air to the upper part of each combustion chamber, a closable opening from each combustion chamber into the lower part of the waste gas chamber, a closable passage from each generator chamber leading under the waste gas chamber 'to the adjacent generator chamber, closable gas outlets at the upper part of each generator chamber, means for introducing fuel into the upper part of each generator chamber, and means for removing ash from the lower part of each generator chamber.

WILLIAM D. WILCOX. 

